BYC Café

[microchick]

Prolia?

Mmmm the drug I love to hate. I tell people to do their own research about it and then make a decision.

I started it when my first Dexa Scan came out showing advanced Osteo in my hips and lower back. I tried Fosamax but my stomach didn't like that idea at all. Doctor told me I had to be on something and suggested Prolia.

Side effects? I don't think I've read of many people who haven't had side effects from it. So if that was the drug she used, yeppers, it's a real trip that's for sure.

I have another dose coming up in two weeks....oh......joy. Sometimes I wonder which is worse, the Prolia side effects or the potential broken hip or vertebrae. My doctor assures me that the latter are life changers while the Prolia is just an annoyance.

Sometimes I wonder.

 

[DobieLover]

Prolia?

Mmmm the drug I love to hate. I tell people to do their own research about it and then make a decision.

I started it when my first Dexa Scan came out showing advanced Osteo in my hips and lower back. I tried Fosamax but my stomach didn't like that idea at all. Doctor told me I had to be on something and suggested Prolia.

Side effects? I don't think I've read of many people who haven't had side effects from it. So if that was the drug she used, yeppers, it's a real trip that's for sure.

I have another dose coming up in two weeks....oh......joy. Sometimes I wonder which is worse, the Prolia side effects or the potential broken hip or vertebrae. My doctor assures me that the latter are life changers while the Prolia is just an annoyance.

Sometimes I wonder.

I'm managing a unique situation. I don't think the side effects of that drug are worth any potential benefit.
My DH is in the later stages of Alzheimer's and has a life expectancy of less that 5 years. I don't see the point of putting him through that.

 

[microchick]

I'm managing a unique situation. I don't think the side effects of that drug are worth any potential benefit.
My DH is in the later stages of Alzheimer's and has a life expectancy of less that 5 years. I don't see the point of putting him through that.

I'm so sorry. I lost both parents to Multi Infarct Dementia and worked 5 years in a nursing/rehab center. Took care of a lot of Alzheimer's patients so I know what you are going through.

I went back and found the post you wrote about your situation. It's a tough place to be in and I understand your position and decision completely. Sometimes I wonder about doctors and their decisions about such things and I was a nurse for 40 years when I retired. It still surprises me when they forget about the importance of quality of life over common sense preventive measures. Prolia isn't cheap. Price tag? 2500 a pop twice a year. I pay about 240 out of pocket. Right now I don't even know if it is working. I was scheduled to get my next Dexa Scan last month and then Delta hit our area hard and no way in hell I'm going to step foot in a hospital unless my head is in a basket or I'm squirting blood out of an artery.

One of the things that I hate about Prolia is its effect on my immune system. The first year I was on it I went into the local Salvation Army to buy Christmas stuffed toys for our dogs as 'stocking stuffers'. I heard a woman coughing and followed the sound to a young Mennonite couple on the far side of the store. Thought I was safe, made my way back to the toy department, scanning a couple of things along the way. Heard a sudden cough, looked up and here was the couple right in front of me. 24 hours I was sick, another 12 hours later and my husband was sick. I was sick into the New Year. Totally ruined Christmas that year.

I shudder to think about what a weakened immune system would do to your husband.

Wearing masks in public is nothing new to me now. I hear people fussing about wearing them due to the current conundrum the world is in and just shrug it off. Been doing it for years. In the beginning I wanted to write on my mask. NO I'M NOT SICK! BUT YOU MIGHT BE!

My best advice besides what you already are going to do is to have a good fall prevention plan in place. Safety proof your your house. Walking, great. I don't know what his capabilities are at this point in time or what stage he is in but would you be able to approach his doctor about him doing some PT?

What mg of Calcium are you looking at? They have me on 1200mg of Citracal a day and 5000mg of D3.

There comes a time when you have to do what is right for your dear husband. I think you are doing all you can do for him.

 

[DobieLover]

Sometimes I wonder about doctors and their decisions about such things

It seems they all consistently forget the fact that he has AD. I obviously never do. It is a huge mitigating factor in care decisions.

Safety proof your your house.

We live in a one story. We bought it with retirement in mind. When I'm finished with the remodel, the laundry will also be on the main level. I've installed handrails everywhere outside and additional path lighting for night time. We won't have any tubs when I'm done, just two shower stalls with a 4" curb. I also plan to install a grab bar in the guest bath that will be the one he uses when he gets bad. As it is now, he can't shower without me so I support him when we are showering.
The only area rugs I have are anchored down because of Bella. Otherwise she'd have them bunched up to the walls.
And he's never alone for more than 1.5 hours max. Eventually, not even that but he's still able to speak and knows who everyone is even if he can't always remember your name. His last reported MMSE was 8 but that was in the spring. He's probably a 7 or lower by now.

What mg of Calcium are you looking at?

I ordered OsteoMD and will also add another 630 mg Ca citrate, 680 mg strontium, 225 mg magnesium (all of them have more D3).
He's mobile, just a little unsteady, and I take him with me when I run the dogs on occasion. Those occasions are going to increase to get him to walking a total of about 3 hours a week.

 

[DobieLover]

Good morning Cafe. Coffee is ready.

It was 50F when I got up. I donned my headlamp, went out in my PJs and moved one half of the 32' extension ladder over to the corner of the house I'll be working on this morning, pulled the soffit panel down and shot the wasp nest that I knew was in there.
No better time than a nice cool morning just before dawn for killing the little pissers!

 

[aart]

No better time than a nice cool morning just before dawn for killing the little pissers!

Absolutely!
Hope ya got 'em all!

 

[sourland]

Good morning, Cafe', and thanks DL. I'll be away until Monday night. It will be Maggie's first experience in a boarding kennel. I've found what appears to be a good one with a very empathetic owner.

 

[DobieLover]

Good morning, Cafe', and thanks DL. I'll be away until Monday night. It will be Maggie's first experience in a boarding kennel. I've found what appears to be a good one with a very empathetic owner.

Have a great time at the wedding!
I'm grateful for Shadow's owner. We always watch each others dogs when the need arises.

 

[sourland]

Daughter is our 'go to' person for dog watching, but this weekend they are moving youngest grandson into college. Hoping this works out as grand daughter has a destination wedding planned for next year, and we will need a place for Maggie to stay.

 

[bruceha2000]

My doctor assures me that the latter are life changers while the Prolia is just an annoyance.

I SUPPOSE if the side effects are only annoying it isn't so bad. But somehow a drug that zaps your immune system seems a bit more than annoying.

It will be Maggie's first experience in a boarding kennel.

Hopefully she will forgive you